Bioactive peptides in young animal nutrition

Abstract

Maternal milk contains a number of bioactive peptides and proteins important for the development of the gastrointestinal tract. This article briefly reviews information on milk insulin, insulinlike growth factors, and epidermal growth factor. Since recently leptin has been found in maternal milk, a more detailed overview of leptin's effects on gastrointestinal tract function is presented. The physiological importance of milk leptin needs, however, further investigation. In contrast to milk, artificial milk formulas contain markedly lower amounts of bioactive peptides.

Effects of type of liquid feed and feeding frequency on calf performance

“…Montagne et al (2003) found that both the intestinal breakdown of protein and the absorption of oligopeptides from plant protein were signifi cantly lower compared with those derived from milk. Additionally, milk is a rich source of components with benefi cial functionality in young animal nutrition (bioactive peptides, hormones, lactoferrin); milk replacers are not supplemented with substances like those (Zabielski, 2001).…”